Week 36: 5/4-5/8

Students and parents, if you have not turned in your white envelope to your homeroom teachers make sure to do so this week.  The forms inside will determine your residency and will also help us make your schedules for next year.

This week begins our exploration of the frog.  We will be comparing what we learned about the human body with the anatomy and physiology of a frog.  This unit will include a lab practical which will be considered the students’ final exam!  STUDENTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO HAVE COLORED PENCILS, MARKERS, OR CRAYONS FOR WEDNESDAY-FRIDAY.

All textbooks are due in this week along with any orange CRCT coach books.

Human Body: Frog Exploration

Standards:  S7CS5, S7CS10, S7L2e,

IB Connections: Human Ingenuity; Health & Social Education; Approaches to Learning

Objectives:

-         Identify the levels of organization

-          Compare and contrast the organization and organs of the frog with the human body.

-          Define homeostasis

-          Describe the functions of the various organs of each system of the body

Essential questions:

1.       What are the levels of organization in the body?

2.       What is homeostasis?

3.       How do the systems of the body relate to one another?

Monday- In most classes, today is music day.  However, because our unit on frog exploration will take about 2 weeks, we need to start today.  Sorry folks!  Students will begin their frog exploration by completing a stations lab about frogs.

Homework for Monday- Study your frog stations lab worksheet.  Bring in colored pencils, markers, or crayons for Wed.

Tuesday- Today is career day.  We will probably only be seeing periods 3-5.  You will be working on a super scientist worksheet

Homework for Tuesday- Study your frog stations lab worksheet.  Bring in colored pencils ,markers, or crayons tomorrow!

Wednesday- Today you will need their colored pencils, markers, or crayons as we begin three day activity making our 3-d frog model by color coding the organs in the 3-D frog anatomy model.

Here is the powerpoint for today’s 3-d frog color and organ key.

Homework for Wednesday- Study your 3-d frog model worksheet

Thursday- You will continue with your 3-d frog model by cutting out the organs and pasting them down and then beginning your key to 3d frog

Homework for Thursday- Study your 3-d frog model

Friday- You will finish your model by completing your keys; identifying the organs functions and organ systems they belong to.

Homework for Friday- Study frog stations lab worksheet and frog model.

Week 35: 4/27 - 5/1

Well Sutton Scientists, this week begins with the final day of testing!  The social studies portion of the CRCT will occur during homeroom on Monday, and will end our week-long testing session. Remember that your attendance during this day is crucial - please be on time and prepared.  Also, be sure to get plenty of rest and eat a good breakfast before you arrive to school.  Good luck!  I know you are all doing the absolute best that you can!

That being said, there are only FOUR WEEKS OF SCHOOL LEFT!  I know each of you are excited, as I am, and we are going to be doing lots of fun activities over the next few weeks, including the much awaited frog dissection!  Here’s how our final countdown begins:

Scientific Method

Standards: S7CS1, S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS4, S7CS5, S7CS6, S7CS7, S7CS8, S7CS9, S7CS10

International Baccalaureate: Human Ingenuity, Approaches to Learning, Health and Social Education

Objectives:

-          Describe parasites and their effects on the human body

-          Explain what scientific inquiry involves

-          Describe how to develop a hypothesis and design an experiment

-          Describe the attitudes, or habits of mind, that are important in science

-          Explain why preparation is important when carrying out scientific investigations

Essential Questions:

1.       What are parasites and how do they affect the body?

2.       What are the steps of the scientific method?

3.       Why might your emotions affect you perception of something?

4.       Why is it important to collaborate in science?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.        How do the activities Save Fred, Marble Ramp, and Foil boat use the scientific method to solve problems?

2.        Do you think these activities apply to problems that arise in everyday life?  How so?

Monday - Today is the final testing day of the CRCT.  You will be taking the social studies portion of the test and will follow the same schedule that we used last week.  After the CRCT, you will report to your first period class followed by second and third.  Please remember that you need to return all science books and CRCT coach books to me today. It is important that you return these items as lost books cost $56 and the school will not release your report card until the fine is paid.

Homework for Monday:  None

Tuesday - Today we will be watching “Body Snatchers”, a video about parasites.  We will warm up with a quick review of parasites to see what we remember.  While you watch, you will answer body snatchers questions about the video which will be due at the end of class.

Homework for Tuesday:  None

Wednesday: Oh no!  It seems we have a dilemma!  Our friend, Fred the worm, has had an accident and is stranded on top of his capsized boat!  It will be your task today to SAVE FRED!  Check out our lesson and start thinking of ideas on how to save him!

Homework for Wednesday: None

Thursday - Another day, another puzzle!  After a review of the scientific method and yesterday’s activity, it will be your job to solve today’s problem:  build a boat out of foil and straws that will hold more pennies than anyone’s boat!  The questions for today’s lab will be due at the end of class!

Homework for Thursday:  None

Friday - Another puzzle yet again!  A quick review of the scientific method and our activity from yesterday, and we will be off to solve today’s puzzle:  build a ramp made only of newspaper and tape that will carry your marble a certain distance and direction.  Questions from today’s activity will be due at the end of class.  Good luck!

Homework for Friday:  None - Have a great weekend!

Week 34: 4/20-4/24 CRCT Week!

This is CRCT week!  Attendance is CRUCIAL this week!  Please make sure to show up to school on time and prepared for each test having had plenty of rest and a nice breakfast.  The schedule is as follows:  Tuesday- Reading, Wednesday- Language Arts, Thursday- Math, Friday- Science, Monday- Social Studies.  Please make sure to visit Study Island and complete all tests in all subjects!

Also, you will be required to bring your science textbook back on Monday of next week. You will no longer be needing your books for the remainder of the year so I would like to gather them and put them into storage for next year.  If books are lost and cannot be returned, you will not be able to receive your report cards and will be charged ~$56.

Topic: Cells and cellular processes, genetics and evolution, classification with a focus on plants, human body, and ecology

International Baccalaureate: Health & Social Education; Environment; Human Ingenuity; Approaches to Learning.

Standards: All standards addressed

Objectives:

Tell what cells are

Describe the functions of cell organelles

Explain how cells are organized in many celled organisms

Explain how the sun supplies living things with the energy they need

What do cells tell us about basic processes of life…life, death, reproduction, etc.

Describe the results of Mendel’s crosses

Identify what controls the inheritance of traits in organisms

Describe the roles chromosomes play in inheritance

Identify the events that occur during meiosis

Explain the relationship between genes and chromosomes

Explain what forms the genetic code

Explain the relationship between genes and environment

Explain how natural selection leads to evolution

Describe how new species form

Explain why biologists classify organisms

Relate the levels of classification to the relationship between organisms

List characteristics used to classify organisms into groups including domains and kingdoms

Demonstrate how to use  dichotomous key

Identify the levels of organization in the body

Identify the needs that must be met by an organism’s surroundings

Identify biotic and abiotic parts of a habitat

Describe the levels of organizations within an ecosystem

Identify factors that limit population growth

Explain how an organism’s adaptations help it survive

Describe the major kinds of interaction among organisms in an ecosystem

Identify the 3 types of symbiotic relationships

Essential Questions:

How are cells the basic building blocks of life?

Higher Level Questioning:

What is the overarching theme of biology with respect to organization?

How does this organization relate to each concept we learned in life science?

Monday- Today, you are finishing up the last 5 questions of our 100 questions to CRCT.  We will follow it with the remainder of Osmosis Jones using your worksheet.  We will then go over the worksheet and then work on an analogy activity in which we compare Osmosis Jones characters and scenarios to the human body!

Homework for Monday- Please finish up any remaining Study Island tests…science is on Friday!

Tuesday- Today we begin the CRCT with our Reading test.  Periods 1-3 will meet today for about 1.5 hours.  We will be completing a 50 question ecology scavenger hunt within my room and Ms. Zaher’s room.  You will  have a sheet full of questions and you will need to seek out eggs that contain the answers.  Prizes will be awarded to those who answer the most questions.

Homework for Tuesday- Please finish up any remaining Study Island tests…science is on Friday!

Wednesday- Today we will complete the same as yesterday but with classes 4-5.

Homework for Wednesday- Please finish up any remaining Study Island tests…science is on Friday!

Thursday- Today periods 1-3 will be relaxing with a fun marble ramp activity.  You must create a ramp that fits certain criteria.  We will test the ramp by letting a marble travel down it and this will be for a grade!

Homework for Thursday- Please finish up any remaining Study Island tests…science is on Friday!

Friday- SCIENCE CRCT TEST IS TODAY!!!!!  Once the test is over, periods 4-5 will do the marble ramp activity.

Homework for Friday- Please bring your textbook in to school on Monday so they may be returned to me!

Games to play…

Feed the head, balance objects and much more…

http://www.vectorpark.com/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/games/lostarmy/index.shtml

Week 33: 4/13-4/17

Welcome back scientists!  I’m sure we have all enjoyed our much deserved rest, but now - it’s back to  BUSINESS.  This week is an extremely important week as it is our last week before the CRCT. We will spend this week reviewing all of the concepts we have learned over the last year in life science.  I ask that each of you take this review process very seriously!  Ask questions during our class activities, continue to work on Study Island tests that are assigned to you, and use your book to review concepts and other items you feel you need to brush up on.  The CRCT is a very important test that not only demonstrates your progression in life science, but it also helps to determine your placement in classes next year.

Topic: Cells and cellular processes, genetics and evolution, classification with a focus on plants, human body, and ecology

International Baccalaureate: Health & Social Education; Environment; Human Ingenuity; Approaches to Learning.

Standards:  All standards addressed

Objectives:

Tell what cells are

Describe the functions of cell organelles

Explain how cells are organized in many celled organisms

Explain how the sun supplies living things with the energy they need

What do cells tell us about basic processes of life…life, death, reproduction, etc.

Describe the results of Mendel’s crosses

Identify what controls the inheritance of traits in organisms

Describe the roles chromosomes play in inheritance

Identify the events that occur during meiosis

Explain the relationship between genes and chromosomes

Explain what forms the genetic code

Explain the relationship between genes and environment

Explain how natural selection leads to evolution

Describe how new species form

Explain why biologists classify organisms

Relate the levels of classification to the relationship between organisms

List characteristics used to classify organisms into groups including domains and kingdoms

Demonstrate how to use  dichotomous key

Identify the levels of organization in the body

Identify the needs that must be met by an organism’s surroundings

Identify biotic and abiotic parts of a habitat

Describe the levels of organizations within an ecosystem

Identify factors that limit population growth

Explain how an organism’s adaptations help it survive

Describe the major kinds of interaction among organisms in an ecosystem

Identify the 3 types of symbiotic relationships

Essential Questions:

How are cells the basic building blocks of life?

Higher Level Questioning:

What is the overarching theme of biology with respect to organization?

How does this organization relate to each concept we learned in life science?

Monday: Bingo!  Today we will be reviewing cells and cellular processes with a great Bingo game.  Be prepared to think quickly of answers as the bingo caller (me) calls out questions that relate to cells.

Homework for Monday:  Continue to work on Study Island tests, CRCT coach books and the CRCT practice tests.

Tuesday: Today we will be reviewing genetics and evolution.  We will warm-up with a few questions about genetics followed by punnet square races!   Who’s the fastest?

Homework for Tuesday: Continue to work on Study Island tests, CRCT coach books and the CRCT practice tests.

Wednesday: Today we will join Mrs. Vikingson’s class in an Easter Egg Scavenger hunt.  We will be reviewing ecology today, and all questions for the hunt will be related to the interactions of living things.  Prizes will be given to those who finish first!

Homework for Wednesday: Continue to work on Study Island tests, CRCT coach books and the CRCT practice tests.

Thursday: Plants have come to Sutton!  Today we will be in the theatre for a program offered by the Atlanta Botanical Society.  I expect you to be on your best behavior and to ask lots of questions!

Homework for Thursday: Continue to work on Study Island tests, CRCT coach books and the CRCT practice tests.

Friday: Another day of Bingo!  Today’s topic?  Human body!

Homework for Friday:  Get plenty of rest,study for the CRCT and RELAX!  See you Monday!

Feed the Head!

http://www.feedthehead.net/

Week 32: 3/30-4/3

It’s the last week before Spring Break!  I’m sure you’re all very excited!  This week, we will be finishing our unit on ecosystems with the construction of our Biome dioramas and a test on Friday.  This will also conclude all of the material you need to know for the CRCT.  When we return from spring break. we will have one week to review for the test, so come prepared to work and study hard!!!

Here’s how our week looks:

Topic:  Ecosystems

International Baccalaureate: Health & Social Education; Environment; Human Ingenuity

Standards:  S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7L4

Objectives:

Identify the needs that must be met by an organism’s surroundings

Identify biotic and abiotic parts of a habitat

Describe the levels of organizations within an ecosystem

Describe methods of determining the size of a population

Explain the causes of changes in population size

Identify factors that limit population growth

Explain how an organism’s adaptations help it survive

Describe the major kinds of interaction among organisms in an ecosystem

Identify the 3 types of symbiotic relationships

Describe the differences between primary and secondary succession

Essential Questions:

1.       Where does the energy in my food come from?

2.       Why should the health and well-being of other organisms be important to me?

3.       Where did all that energy come from?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.       How are earth’s biomes differentiated by ecologists?

2.       How might changes in environmental conditions and changes in the transfer of energy affect an ecosystem?

3.       How might changes in the environment affect organisms?

4.       How do organisms “fit” together in an ecosystem?

Monday-  Today we will begin with another CRCT review, followed by a brief overview of the biome project.  You will have the remaining class period to work on the construction of your diorama, which is DUE WEDNESDAY for D.C. Trip participants and FRIDAY for all other students.

Homework for Monday - read pages 716 - 721 and answer ALL THREE questions on page 721 due Tuesday. Continue to work on Biome diorama.

Tuesday- We will warm up today with CRCT review, and again, continue working on our biome projects DUE WEDNESDAY for D.C. Trip participants and FRIDAY for all other students.

Homework for Tuesday - Chapter review on pages 743 - 744 #’s 1-16, 21-25, and page 745 #’s 1-5 due THURSDAY.  Continue to work on Biome diorama.  Begin studying for your test on Friday.

Wednesday- Today we will begin with a CRCT review and continue working on our biome projects.  which is DUE WEDNESDAY for D.C. Trip participants and FRIDAY for all other students. .

Homework for Wednesday- Continue working on the Chapter review on pages 743 - 744 #’s 1-16, 21-25, and page 745 #’s 1-5 due THURSDAY. Continue to work on Biome diorama. Begin studying for your test on Friday.

Thursday- We will warm up with another CRCT review.  You may have this day to work on your biome.  However, if you have completed your biome and your homework, you may play the “endangered species” game.

Homework for Thursday- Continue to work on Biome diorama and study for test on Friday.

Friday- We will warm up with a quick CRCT review before we take our test.  You will then be assessed by a 30 question test over everything we have learned during our ecology unit.  This includes the levels of and interactions of living things (competition, predation, and symbiosis), food chains and webs, biomes, and water and nitrogen cycles.

Homework for Friday- None!  Have a great spring break!

Week 31: 3/24-3/28

Parents, this Wednesday, students will be taking a short science benchmark test.  We intend to see where students stand and then use this data to find out students’ strengths and weaknesses.  We will continue to learn about the various biomes/ecosystems of the world.  Students should also continue working on Study Island and this week I would like for them to complete the Genetics/Heredity tests on Study Island.

Topic:  Ecosystems

International Baccalaureate: Health & Social Education; Environment; Human Ingenuity

Standards:  S7CS2, S7CS3, S7CS5, S7L4

Objectives:

Identify the needs that must be met by an organism’s surroundings

Identify biotic and abiotic parts of a habitat

Describe the levels of organizations within an ecosystem

Describe methods of determining the size of a population

Explain the causes of changes in population size

Identify factors that limit population growth

Explain how an organism’s adaptations help it survive

Describe the major kinds of interaction among organisms in an ecosystem

Identify the 3 types of symbiotic relationships

Describe the differences between primary and secondary succession

Essential Questions:

1.       Where does the energy in my food come from?

2.       Why should the health and well-being of other organisms be important to me?

3.       Where did all that energy come from?

Higher Level Questioning:

1.       How are earth’s biomes differentiated by ecologists?

2.       How might changes in environmental conditions and changes in the transfer of energy affect an ecosystem?

3.       How might changes in the environment affect organisms?

4.       How do organisms “fit” together in an ecosystem?

Monday - Today, we’re warming up with a CRCT review.  You will present your symbiotic want ads to the class as a review of the different types of symbiotic relationships. We will then watch a brainpop on ecosystems to get us ready for our biome notes on Wednesday of this week.

Homework for Monday- Read pages 692-699 and pick 2 questions to answer.  Get together shoe boxes for our biome diorama project we’ll begin next week.

Tuesday - Warm up with CRCT and then you will be working on an ecology packet in groups.  You will receive a grade as a group according to how you perform on the packet.

Homework for Tuesday- Read pages 728-739 and answer all questions on page 739 DUE FRIDAY.  Get shoebox. Work on Genetics/Heredity tests on Study Island.  Only 15 school days until CRCT!

Wednesday - We will start class by taking a benchmark test of 30 questions.  This test grade will not be added to the gradebook but your results will be used to determine where you stand in class and show us where you are proficient or deficient.  When done, you will take notes on land biomes of earth.

Homework for Wednesday- Read pages 728-739 and answer all questions on page 739 DUE FRIDAY.  Work on Genetics/Heredity tests on Study Island.  14 school days left until CRCT!

Thursday - CRCT warm-up and then we’ll finish notes on biomes of land and water.

Homework for Thursday- Read pages 728-739 and answer all questions on page 739 DUE TOMORROW.  Bring in shoeboxes!  Finish genetics tests on S.I.  13 days left!

Friday- Today we will introduce our build a biome project for next week.  You will randomly receive the biome you need to create.  You should create a list of materials you may need to complete the project in class next week.  Shoe boxes should be brought to school on Monday.  If purchasing or finding items for this project is difficult, you should see me for help or an alternative project

Homework for Friday- Finish Genetics tests on Study Island.  12 school days left until the CRCT!  Bring shoebox on Monday!

Week 30: 3/16-3/20

Week 29: 3/9-3/13

This Friday is a teacher workday, bringing us yet another four day week!  Before we get down to the science, I have a couple of announcements:

Anyone with a 90% or above in science who is interested in “Eagle Science Camp” at Georgia Southern University, please see me for an application.  Cost is $375 or you can apply for a scholarship.  First session will be held from May 26-30; second session is June 2-6.  This is a GREAT opportunity to enrich your science learning!

We will have our eye dissection on Monday.  Parental help is most welcome - email me if you would like to participate!

Back to the science.  This week we will be finishing up our unit on the human body.  We are rounding out the week with a final test on the nervous, endocrine, urinary and reproductive systems.  Here’s how our week looks:

Human Body: Nervous, Endocrine, Urinary, & Reproductive Systems

Standards: S7CS5, S7CS10, S7L2e,

IB Connections: Human Ingenuity; Health & Social Education; Approaches to Learning

Objectives:

-          Identify the levels of organization in the body

-          Define homeostasis

-          Describe the functions of the nervous system

-          Describe the structure of a neuron and the kinds of neurons

-          Explain how nerve impulses travel from one neuron to another

-          Identify two ways in which the nervous system can be injured

-          Describe the structures and functions of the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system

-          Explain what a reflex is

-          Explain how the fives senses work

-          Explain how alcohol and drugs affect the nervous system

-          Identify the levels of organization in the body

-          Define homeostasis

-          Describe the functions of the endocrine system

-          Identify the endocrine glands

-          Define sexual reproduction

-          Identify the structures and functions of the excretory (urinary) system

-          State how the kidneys filter waste from the blood

-          Explain how excretion contributes to homeostasi

-          List the stages of human development that occur before birth

-          Identify the changes that occur from infancy to adulthood

Essential questions:

1.       What are the levels of organization in the body?

2.       What is homeostasis?

3.       How do the systems of the body relate to one another?

Higher Level Questioning

1.       What are the functions and structures of the nervous system?

2.       What might cause a nerve impulse?

3.       How do nerve impulses travel from one neuron to another?

4.       What are the types of neurons?

5.       What are the parts of a neuron?

6.       What might be some diseases associated with the nervous system?

7.       How does a reflex happen?

8.       What are the parts of the brain and what activities do they control?

9.       What are the fives senses and how do they send messages to the brain?

10.    What are the effects of drugs and alcohol on the nervous system?

11.    What are the functions and structures of the endocrine system?

12.    What is the function of hormones?

13.    What are endocrine glands?

14.    How does negative feedback control hormones in the body?

15.    What are the functions and structures of the male and female reproductive systems?

16.    What is sexual reproduction?

17.    Why might sperm and egg differ in form?

18.    How is the function of the female reproductive system different from that of the male?

19.    What are the functions and structures of the urinary system?

20.    Why is it important to filter waste from the body?

Monday- Today we will be dissecting the sheep’s eye.  We’ll do a quick review of the procedures given last Friday in the ppt and then quickly begin dissection.  To make the grade in this dissection, you will need to correctly identify the external and internal features of the eye.  As a reminder, those students who did not complete all homework last week will not be able to participate in the dissection.

Homework for Monday- Complete pages 631-632 ?s 1-10; 22-25; page 633 ?s 1-5 due Thursday; Study Island science tests. CRCT is just 25 school days away!!

Tuesday- How fast do nervous impulses travel through your body.  Today you will find out as you work in groups of two on a reaction time lab.  Please see ppt from last week on nervous system for directions.

Homework for Tuesday- Complete pages 631-632 ?s 1-10; 22-25; page 633 ?s 1-5 due Thursday; Study Island. CRCT is just 24 school days away!!

Wednesday- Today we will finish up the human body unit with our notes on the urinary, endocrine, and reproductive systems.

Homework for Wednesday- Complete pages 631-632 ?s 1-10; 22-25; page 633 ?s 1-5 due Thursday; Study Island. CRCT is just 23 school days away!!

Thursday- Today you will take a test on the nervous (11 ?s), endocrine (3?s), urinary (3 ?s) and reproductive (3 ?s) systems.

Homework for Thursday- Study Island science tests.  CRCT is just 22 school days away!!

Friday- No school/ Teacher work day.

Homework for Friday- Study Island science tests.